No Plastics Challenge Week 1

I decided to take the no single use plastics challenge for the month of July. Or, as it is called, the Plastic Free July.
This should be easy, I thought. I'm pretty conscientious.  No problem.

Well, here is the result of week one.  The challenge was more interesting because I was going out of town for a long weekend.

DAY 1

I decided to do the Plastic Free Challenge for July which is a national movement, encouraging people to use no single-use plastics.
So, I decided the key to success is to plan ahead. I knew I had to go to the dealer for an oil change so I filled up my water bottle and knew I could avoid the bottles of water in the mini fridge they have for customers. Then I found out it would be over two hours, not a half hour. And I was unprepared. I did have a fork in my car but it was being worked on. So I needed a fork. I guess I am rationalizing here. I brought it home and washed it and I will use it again. I need to carry some flatware in my purse and.or my backpack.

DAY 2 of the plastic free July. 

I went to the pet store and bought two covers for cat food cans so I don;t have to use plastic wrap to cover the half a cat food can I stick in the fridge each day. I am feeling really good about this and then realize I have quickly cooked some veggies in the microwave and cover the bowel with plastic wrap. Darn. I didn't even think about things until after I had used it.

DAY 3

So I was taking off for a long weekend out of town. I was prepared. I grabbed my coffee mug as I was about to hop in the car. I would grab a coffee on the way since I didn't have time to make it before I went. No problem, I said to myself.And, since it was closest, I stopped at Seven Eleven. What I didn't remember (since I had not gotten coffee there in years) was that they don;t have pitchers with half and half. No, Just little sealed plastic containers. Foiled again! And I thought I had planned well.

DAY 4 of avoiding single use plastics. 

I have lots of water bottles of different shapes and sizes. And I remembered to fill them with ice wand water, so even after I arrived at my destination, they could be put in the fridge where I was staying and be ready for the next day. I have successfully avoided buying bottled water. Yay!

DAY 5 of No Plastic Challenge

A moment of angst at intermission during the production of Merry Wives of Windsor. Should I get something to drink? I wasn’t sure. They weren’t going to give me a real glass for wine, I didn’t think. Ah, fortunately, they were serving in compostible cups. These particular cups were made out of corn. This wasn’t real plastic. So I got a cup of wine I could take back into the theatre with me. 

DAY 6

I knew I would probably want to do a picnic.  So before I left, I brought my picnic backpack complete with dishes and utensils.  No plastic flatware for me!

Day 7

Finally. My pre-planning has paid off.  Before I went on my trip, I purchased a set of 6 stainless steel straws (and a brush for cleaning).  Finally, I was in a situation where I was brought a drink (iced tea) and was offered a plastic straw. “No thanks,” I said. Yes, I had my metal straw. All ready to use.  Now I am assuming I need to find a nice way to carry one in my car and one stuffed away in my back pack.  Then I will always be prepared.

Another thing I noticed. Where I was in Canada, single use plastics were a little less prevalent. More paper packaging. More eco-friendly containers.  I am not sure what laws exist in the province or the country that encourage that, but I am pretty sure I need to pay attention to trying to change what is offered as well as what I use.

Have you taken the plastic free challenge?  It's not too  late. You can start now and do it for 30 days.

Posted by Etta Worthington